Session 109 - The Barbarian Incursions

General Summary

20^th to 21^st Ilvin (First Month of Winter) 722TR

The story so far

The Heroes have infiltrated Castle Bedenes, a fortress held by the Warriors of Mameka, cunningly disguised as Highpriestess Jasmine of the Order of the Bloody Knives and her entourage. They have two objectives. Steal the knowledge to repair a damaged magical artifact and assassinate High Commander Halan Uelasen.

They have learned that the Warrior's military strength has been decimated in a military disaster, something five wounded crusaders from the Azeryani Empire can prove.

They also discovered that the elderly Grandmaster Horab Gerund of the Warriors suspects, correctly, that the Heroes are spies and plans to kill them. The Party has deferred this action by claiming they are planning to travel north through territory controlled by the hostile barbarians, so they are not likely to live to report anything.

The continuation of Session 108 - Order of the Bloody Knives.

---

Location - Castle of Bedenes in the Kingdom of Rethem.

---

Part 1 - Further Investigations

The Heroes return to Bedenes Village, purchase winter clothing and travel supplies to keep up the appearance that they plan to travel north. They split into two groups and get to know the locals, and gather information.

At the Burning Ember Inn, Yureb and Athena overhear conversations with some artisans from the crafting compound. They talk about testing the larger scale clay pots filled with alchemical mixtures as ammunition for a catapult.

Quazzy follows two elderly women dressed in black who emerge from the castle and meet with the village Herbalist. Through her invisible familiar, she learns that the old women are the Grandmaster's Sisters, and they are purchasing potions for preventing infections and preserving blood. They also buy a collection of poisonous herbs, which Quazzy understands will act as a hallucinogen in small doses. On their way back to the castle, she overhears the old women mentioning that "the current one will not last much longer, but there are two replacements in the Dungeons." The Heroes speculate whether this is referring to the rumored missing Embassy from the Agrikian Pontiff.

Part 2 - Dinner Party and Farewells

Akarata Horab, art by Artbreeder

With the Heroes planning to travel north the next day, Akarata (Grandmaster) Horab Gerund hosts the Party with a banquet. It is a relatively humorless event with roasted whale meat as the only course. Athena questions why the castle appears undermanned and is told the bulk of the Warriors are stationed at the outlying manors. There appears to be two fractions in the castle. The Grandmaster's, which is focused on defeating the Kuboran Barbarians and claiming the long lost fort of Kustan, and the other led by High Commander Halan Uelasen, who wants to instead concentrate on the ongoing civil war. However, the Warriors are disciplined and follow the chain of command, despite personal any beliefs.

The Mamekan art by Artbreeder

Yureb can't help himself. As the Grandmaster retires for the night, he skillfully picks his money pouch. Unfortunately, he has only a few silver coins.

The Party stays in the Mamekan's compound for the night. As they leave, the Mamekan warns Quazzy, "Do not return!"

Dawn the next morning, The Heroes partake in a basic religious ceremony with the priests and knights. Athena believes this is staged for the visitor's benefit, and then they leave Castle Bedenes with a small escort of one knight and two common soldiers.

Part 3 - The First Barbarian Ambush

As they move out of sight of the last guard post along the Scarlet Ribbon Trade Route, the Party immediately attacks the escorts, easily killing the surprised soldiers and knocking out the knight. They then fake a barbarian attack, and Quazzy Modifies the knight's Memory making him believe the group fought heroically but was overwhelmed. The Party Invisibly makes its way back to the village, hiding in the woods, and considers options. Do they rescue the Azeryani Crusaders or infiltrate the castle in the chaos and rescue the prisoners in the dungeons?

Part 4 - The Second Barbarian Ambush

Halan Uelasen, art by Artbreeder

Suddenly High Commander Halan Uelasen emerges from the castle with four knights and ten common soldiers making their way to the site of the "Barbarian Attack." The Heroes hastily intercept them. Initially, things go well, catching them by surprise. Athena uses her Earthmaster Rod of Awe to weaken the knights while Quazzy kills all of their horses with Ice Magic. The battle is not in doubt. However, an unlucky misfire from a toxic smoke grenade disables Quazzy and Lucia for most of the fight. Athena kills the High Commander, although one of the common warriors is allowed to live, with another Modified Memory of brutal Barbarian attack. They arrange the massacre to appear consistent with another barbarian atrocity and then take the knight's Mamekan Blades.

Part 5 - Rescue and Escape

Next, they sow rumors in Bedenes Village that rampaging barbarians are nearby and create panic. In the confusion, they convince the wounded Azeryani Crusaders to leave the settlement with them and escape. The Heroes quickly deal with the guards at the docks at Alesen Manor, and the party escape via the ship returning to Castle Tormau the next morning. While traveling, they drop the captured Mamekan Blades, containing the slain warriors' souls into the ocean.

To be continued...

NPC Interactions

Akarata Horab Gerund Grandmaster - Leader of the Warriors of Mameka

The Mamekan - The Semi-divine Weapon Smith.

Challenges

Assassinated Meketa Halan Uelasen and blamed it on the Kubora Barbarians.

Rescued the Azeryani Crusaders and escaped Castle Bedenes with important information.

Created Content

Mamekan Blades, Alchemical Weapons and Martial Arts.

Scarlet Ribbon.

Related Reports

Order of the Warriors of Mameka - Updated.

Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel.

Kubora Barbarians.

Players Character Status

Athena the Banshee - Level 17 Paladin of Vengeance.

Yureb - Level 17 Arcane Trickster.

Quazzy - Level 5 Necromancer and Level 12 Warlock Disciple of Desridaen.

Campaign

The Uncivil War - Campaign Complete

Protagonists

Quazzy

Athena

Yureb

Report Date

01 Nov 2020

Primary Location

Castle Bedenes

NPC Companion

Dame Lucia Kalormar, Athena's Squire

Lucia Kalomar, art by Artbreeder

Order of Mamaka, Master of Steel

by Columbia Games

Order of the Warriors of Mameka

by Columbia Games

Rod of Awe

by Attacus

Appearance: A metallic rod adorned with clear crystals.

Attunement: Psionics or Charisma check DC 10 to Attune.

Properties: When held aloft and invoked, the rod causes all living creatures within 50 feet (except the user) to become fatigued.

Usable maximum of one per 24 hour period.

Affected creatures must make a DC20 Charisma Saving throw.

If they succeed by 5 or more - No effect.

If they succeed - They suffer 1 level of Exhaustion.

If they fail - They suffer 2 levels of Exhaustion.

If they fail by 5 or more - They suffer 3 levels of Exhaustion.

Undead, Fiends, Celestials, and Elementals are not affected by this item.

Charges: 2d6 (8 Charges remaining).